Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site, , Devon

Ecological Impact Assessment

March 2021

A report on behalf of NPS South West

Ref: 1205b-EcIA-LW

www.ge-consulting.co.uk - 01647 253652 - [email protected]

GE Consulting is a trading name for GE Consulting Services (UK) Ltd registered number 08435536 Registered office: Unit 11A, Gidleys Meadow Business Park, Christow, Devon, EX6 7QB. VAT Number 160595992 NPS South West Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site, Sidmouth, Devon

Site Details

Site Name Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site

Site Location Sidmouth, Devon

Central OS Grid Reference SY 1253 8930

Client NPS South West

Quality Assurance

Report Title Ecological Impact Assessment

Report Reference 1205b-EcIA-LW

Author Louise Woolley BSc MCIEEM

Checked By Jon Garner BSc MCIEEM

Approved By Jon Garner BSc MCIEEM

Revision No. FINAL

Issue Date 10 March 2021

Summary of Changes N/A

Revised By N/A

Approved By N/A

The content of this report that has been provided by GE Consulting is true, and has been prepared and submitted in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. Its contents are compliant with British Standard BS42020: 2013 Biodiversity Code of Practice for Planning and Development.

This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the stated client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by GE Consulting, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by GE Consulting for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided.

GE Consulting has exercised due care in preparing this report. It has not, unless specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the content of this report and GE Consulting assumes no liability for any loss resulting from errors, omissions or misrepresentation made by others.

Any recommendation, opinion or finding stated in this report is based on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time that GE Consulting undertook the work. Nothing in this report constitutes legal opinion. If legal opinion is required the advice of a qualified legal professional should be secured.

© Copyright GE Consulting Services (UK) Limited 2021

A Glossary of the terms used in this report is provided in Appendix 1.

NPS South West Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site, Sidmouth, Devon

Contents

1 Introduction ...... 1 2 Aims ...... 1 3 Methods ...... 1 3.1 Desk Study ...... 1 3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey ...... 1 3.3 Survey Limitations ...... 1 4 Results ...... 2 4.1 Designated Sites ...... 2 4.2 Habitats & Flora ...... 2 4.3 Fauna ...... 2 5 Impacts and Mitigation ...... 2 5.1 Designated Sites ...... 2 5.2 Habitats and Flora ...... 3 5.3 Fauna...... 3 6 Enhancements ...... 3 7 Conclusions ...... 3 8 References ...... 4

Figures

1: Mitigation and Enhancement Plan

Appendices

Appendix 1 – General Glossary of Terms ...... 6 Appendix 2 – Planning Policy and Legislation ...... 7 Appendix 3 – Site Photographs ...... 9

Ecological Impact Assessment 10 March 2021 1205b-EcIA-LW NPS South West Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site, Sidmouth, Devon

1 INTRODUCTION

This report presents the results of an Ecological Impact Assessment at Sidmouth Primary School- Woolbrook Site, Sidmouth, Devon (central OS grid reference: SY 1253 8930) in relation to a proposed planning application the development of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) The surveys were commissioned by NPS South West. This report should be read in conjunction with the Woolbrook Proposed Site Plan Ref: NPS-DRL-00-801-P3 and the Sidmouth Primary-Manstone Site, Ecological Impact Assessment (GE Consulting 2021).

The area within the application boundary is hereafter referred to as the ‘Site’.

2 AIMS

The aims of this report are to:

Identify and describe the habitats and species likely to be affected by the proposed development and assess the ecological value of these features; Identify key ecological constraints to the proposed development and evaluate the significance of any potential effects; and, Provide recommendations for mitigation and enhancement opportunities in accordance with relevant planning policy, legislation and other published guidance (see Appendix 2).

3 METHODS

3.1 Desk Study

An internet search was undertaken to identify statutory sites designated for nature conservation value within a 2km radius of the Site boundary, extended to 5km for European sites, using the Government’s mapping website MAGIC (www.magic.gov.uk). Devon Environment Viewer was used to search for consultation zones that cover the Site and aerial photography of the wider area was reviewed to assess connectivity and landscape features which may be important to local biodiversity.

3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

A site walkover was undertaken in accordance with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology (JNCC 2010) on 23 October 2020 by Louise Woolley BSc MCIEEM when weather conditions were dry with good visibility.

All habitats within the Site were identified, described and mapped during the field survey, and a non- exhaustive botanical species list compiled. Plant names follow Stace (2019). The survey was extended to highlight the potential presence of protected and priority species in accordance with CIEEM’s Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (2017). This involved a search to identify the presence or potential presence of notable and protected species such as breeding birds, badger Meles meles, dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius, bats, reptiles and amphibians. Target Notes (TNs) were used to record any features or habitats of ecological interest.

3.3 Survey Limitations

Care has been taken to ensure that balanced advice is provided on the information available and collected during the study period (s), and within the resources available for the project. However, the possibility of important ecological features being missed due to survey timings, absence during surveys or the year of survey cannot be ruled out. In addition, the lack of evidence or records of protected species on Site does not preclude their presence from Site.

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4 RESULTS

4.1 Designated Sites

There are three Natura 2000 sites within10km.The Sidmouth to West Bay SAC is located 1.8km south of the Site, which is designated for coastal habitats. The Pebblebed Heaths SAC is located 5km west, which is designated for and associated species and Beer Quarry and Caves SAC is located 8.9km east which is designated for the Bechstein’s bat. There are two further statutory sites Fire Beacon Hill LNR and Sidmouth to Beer Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)within 2km.

There are four County Wildlife Sites; Mutters Moor, Norman Lockyer Observatory, Fire Beacon Hill, Core Hill Cottage. There is one Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS); Peak Hill and Mutters Moor. There are two Other Sites of Wildlife Interest (OSWI); Fortescue Meadows, Castle Hill and there are eight Unconfirmed Wildlife Sites (UWS); Soldiers Hill, Little Greenway, Manor Park Sidmouth, Clevedon, Boswell Farm Fields, Core Hill Woods, Ebdon, Colcott Linhay within 2km.

4.2 Habitats & Flora

The area within the development boundary comprises 0.1ha of amenity grassland in poor condition with a sward height of <10cm. The site is bounded by school buildings to the south-east and north-east, a grassy bank to the north-west and a bank with a strip of semi-mature trees to the south-east.

Photographs are provided in Appendix 3.

4.3 Fauna

Table 1 lists the fauna considered likely to be present on Site.

Table 1: Assessment of Fauna on Site

Species/ Group Potential Location & Rationale Presence? Amphibians X No ponds or suitable habitat within the development area. Badger X No direct access into the Site. Bats X No buildings or trees within the development area. Birds X No suitable habitat in the development area. Dormouse X No suitable habitat in the development area. Hedgehog ✓ May cross Site to commute to foraging area within wooded bank. Invertebrates X No suitable habitat in the development area. Reptiles X No suitable habitat in the development area. Other notable species X Limited size of Site is unlikely to support other species.

5 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

5.1 Designated Sites

Given their distance from the Site and the small scale of the proposed development, no impacts are predicted to affect designated sites and they are not considered further in this report.’ A contribution to the CIL relating to the Pebblebed Heaths will not be required due to the nature of the development.

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5.2 Habitats and Flora

The loss of 0.1ha of poor condition amenity grassland will have a Negligible impact on nature conservation. This loss will be compensated for through the planting of species-rich wildflower meadow Emorsgate EM1 seed mix or similar.

5.3 Fauna.

To protect fauna, such as hedgehogs, that may cross the Site at night, all excavations created during construction should be covered overnight or means of escape provided such as a ramp.

6 ENHANCEMENTS

In line with national and local planning policy it is recommended that ecological enhancements are included in the design of the development. This will include a least one bird box and one bat box. Bird boxes will be mounted on trees within the boundaries of Site and will not be mounted on southerly aspects as they can become too hot in the summer. Bat boxes will be mounted on trees at a height of 4m, with a southerly aspect, within an area with little light spill.

Enhancement measures within the Woolbrook site are being undertaken as part of the compensation strategy for the loss of nine semi-mature trees and grassland at the Manstone site:

Species-rich native wildflower meadow mix planting Emorsgate EM1 along the north-west boundary; Wildflower plug planting within grassland on south-west and north-east boundaries adjacent to wooded strip; 30m of species-rich native hedgerow will be planted along the north-west boundary; Two fruit and two native standard trees will be planted along the north-west boundary;

Locations are included on Figure 1. Bat and bird boxes can be found at websites such as www.nhbs.com.

7 CONCLUSIONS

In summary, due to the small scale of the Site it was considered to be of low ecological interest, with minimal adverse impacts predicted on important ecological features.

Avoidance measures have been incorporated into the design to eliminate impacts to protected and notable species and habitat creation has been included to compensate for habitat losses. These are illustrated in Figure 1.

Provided the avoidance and mitigation measures are carried out, the proposal is considered unlikely to have significant adverse effects on ecological features.

A number of enhancement measures have been recommended with the aim of providing a net biodiversity gain, contributing to the aims of National Planning Policy Framework and local policy. Opportunity for habitat enhancement has contributed to the overall biodiversity net gain on the Manstone site as well.

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8 REFERENCES

BSI (2013) BS42020: 2013 Biodiversity. Code of practice for planning and development. British Standards Institution, London, UK.

CIEEM (2017) Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, 2nd edition. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester.

CIEEM (2018) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland: Terrestrial, Freshwater, Coastal and Marine, version 1.1. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Winchester.

Doug Pratt (2021), Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Sidmouth Primary School, Woolbrook

GE Consulting (2021),Sidmouth Primary-Manstone Site, Ecological Impact Assessment

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey - a Technique for Environmental Audit. Reprinted by JNCC, Peterborough.

NPS (2021),Woolbrook Proposed Site Plan Ref: NPS-DRL-00-801-P3

Stace, C. (2019) New Flora of the British Isles (4th Edition). C&M Floristics, Middlewood Green.

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NPS South West Sidmouth Primary School-Woolbrook Site, Sidmouth, Devon

Appendix 1 – General Glossary of Terms

Annex I Threatened bird listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive

Annex II Habitats and species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of SACs

BAP Biodiversity Action Plan

BNG Biodiversity Net Gain

BoCC Bird of Conservation Concern (published by Eaton et al., 2015).

CEMP Construction Environmental Management Plan

EPS European Protected Species

HPI Habitat of Principal Importance required under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006

JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee

LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan

LEMP Landscape and Ecology Management Plan

NERC Act Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

NVC National Vegetation Classification Survey

SAC Special Area of Conservation

SPA Special Protection Area

SPI Species of Principal Importance required under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006

SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

WCA Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(as amended)

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Appendix 2 – Planning Policy and Legislation

Habitat and Species Legislation

Species and habitats receive legal protection in the UK under various legislation, including:

The Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended); The Conservation of Habitat and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended); The Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000; The Hedgerows Regulations 1997; The Protection of Badgers Act 1992; and The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

Where relevant, this report takes into account the legislative protection afforded to specific habitats and species.

National Planning Policy Framework 2019

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Governments planning policies for and how local planning authorities should incorporate them into their own policies and plans. Chapter 15 of the NPPF contains several policies targeted at enhancing the natural environment and requires local authorities to consider how impacts on biodiversity can be minimised and provide net gains in biodiversity. Paragraph 170 states that:

“Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: a) protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan); b) recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland; c) maintaining the character of the undeveloped coast, while improving public access to it where appropriate; d) minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures; e) preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans; and f) remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate.”

Additional Planning Practice Guidance (PPGs) supports the NPPF and includes guidance on:

Landscape; Biodiversity, ecosystems and green infrastructure; and Brownfield land, soils and agricultural land.

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East Devon District Council Local Planning Policy

East Devon Local Plan 2013-2031 was adopted in January 2016 by East Devon District Council. It sets out the overall vision and long term planning strategy for development in East Devon. It contains the following relevant strategies and policies related to nature conservation:

Strategy 47 – Nature Conservation and Geology EN4 -– Protection of Local Nature Reserves, County Wildlife Sites and County Geological Sites; and EN5 – Wildlife Habitats and Features.

EN5 states, wherever possible sites supporting important wildlife habitats or features not otherwise protected by policies will be protected from development proposals which would result in the loss of or damage to their nature conservation value, particularly where these form a link between or buffer to designated wildlife sites. Where potential arises positive opportunities for habitat creation will be encouraged through the development process. Where development is permitted on such sites mitigation will be required to reduce the negative impacts and where this is not possible adequate compensatory habitat enhancement or creation schemes will be required and/or measures required to be taken to ensure that the impacts of the development on valued natural features and wildlife have been mitigated to their fullest practical extent.

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Appendix 3 – Site Photographs

Description Photograph Amenity grassland:

Poor semi-improved grassland with a sward height of <10cm is present within the school field.

Trees:

Wooded strip of semi-mature native trees are present along the south-west boundary.

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